The Big Crafty

So as if I haven’t whined and complained enough about having so much to do before Bele Chere, my wife and I decided we would just add more to our plate by deciding to do The Big Crafty this weekend. It’s in Asheville as well (Oh Joy! 2 trips in 2 weeks, in a car, across the state, with a 3 month old!); I suppose we’re gluttons for punishment. Truthfully though, there is nothing I’d rather be doing than making art full-time while spending my days with my wife and son.

Anyway, if you are in the area this weekend, it’s a great show so maybe we’ll see you there!

-M

My Kingdom for a Canvas

Well actually, I’m stretching a large canvas for a friend as we speak, but more about that later. In the meantime, I’m beginning to think that the panels in my studio are multiplying on their own.

what I’m wondering is- why can’t all the art that goes on them be already finished as well? I figure I have about 16 days until I have to begin packing for Bele Chere, and I’ve come to the realization that with 350,000 people expected to attend, there is probably no way to make enough art.

Luckily I don’t get to stressed about these things, especially not now that Jeremia is here…

I mean seriously, who could be stressed when you have this cute mug to look at all day long-

and I am making progress- I just hope that I’m able to get to all the jewelry pieces I want to do.

If not I suppose I’ll survive, there is always the next show.

-M

Liberty

As we celebrate our Nation’s birthday, I thought I would share some wonderfully patriotic images from the past. Both of these date from 1910-20.

Happy 4th!

-M

Watermarks and Illuminations

I was fortunate enough to pick up some beautiful early 19th century receipts recently, and I was thinking of using them as pieces in my jewelry.

The details and penmanship are truly something to behold.

However, the paper is wonderfully thin, and I think my favorite part of these may actually be the watermarks.

I think I’ll scan them instead of sacrificing them for art, or perhaps I’ll use them in a lightbox.

What is a lightbox you say? Lightboxes are hand-built illuminated pieces of art that I have been making for about 15 years. What I love about them is the depth and layering the pieces have, something that isn’t quite the same on a piece on canvas or panel.

You can see a number of pieces I have created over the years here.

One other random thing-

this crow sat out on our windowsill yesterday for about 15 minutes, discussing the world situation with any other birds who would listen… then again, maybe he just liked having his picture taken.

-M

Mud Slinging

Literally. Went to the NC mountains this past weekend to visit with family, and ended up down at the river with my niece and nephew. We couldn’t go swimming because they didn’t have their bathing suits, but it’s not like that kept them from having fun.

The river is so nice this time of year even if the water is still really cold.

On the way home, I found a nice antique mall with a few necessities I thought I should pick up.

-a great ambrotype from the late 1850’s

-a nice antique bone brooch (this one will probably end up in my Etsy shop)

-a great old rouge to be transformed into a neckpiece

-and a nice petite tin which will be transformed as well

All in all, it was a great weekend, but now its back to it, Bele Chere is coming up in a little more than 3 weeks!

-M

Randomness

This post is just what it sounds like- complete randomness. Well, I suppose there must be some order as I chose all of these random things to share at the same time, which I guess would make them not so random.

First a cloud- yes, it's really just a cloud- I shot it the other day looking out my studio window. Something about the way it was catching the light, out there without any of its little cloud friends, just doing its thing. I suppose I relate.

This is a shot of my booth that the Handmade Market in May; I meant to share this the other day and completely forgot about it. It was a good show and is a lot of fun to do in general, especially the November holiday show.

I'm in the middle of preparing inventory for Bele Chere, and have started on another new piece of jewelry. Here is an early look at some of the basic parts. I'll try to do a full update of it soon.

And speaking of jewelry, Virtue Adrift is now up in my Etsy Shop if you'd like to stop by.

Be back soon.

-M

Today's Flea Market Finds

Went to the Raleigh Fleamarket today, and aside from the gianormus amount of heat, I had a pretty good day in terms of finds.

I found a lot of good photos, some nice pieces of vintage brass, some good antique jewelry, and a few other thing that will probably make their way into jewelry. Most of what you see will end up in my EandO shop later this week.

I only stayed about 45 minutes, and probably could have found more, but it was just to blame hot. I think it is officially time to hit the pool.

Also, two of the pieces of jewelry are now up on Etsy if you'd like to check them out.

250 Regrets

and The Evening Star

the others should be up tomorrow!

-M

All News is Big News

Though some is bigger than others- If you have been to my Etsy Store lately, then you probably already know what the BIG NEWS is, but if not, well just see below.

Yep, my wife and I had our first child-a healthy, hungry baby boy named Jeremia. He was born on April 2, and has been the cause of many a sleepless night as of late. However, I wouldn’t trade him in on a mule (as my Mother is prone to saying), meaning I think he’s pretty great.

He’s already almost doubled his weight in 10 weeks, so I can just imagine what it’s going to be like trying to keep this kid fed during his teenage years.

As they say, eat, sleep, poop, that about sums him up at this point, though he will talk your ear off if he gets the chance.

But this isn’t all that has gone on, the spring shows went very well, and I’m currently getting ready for the next- Bele Chere. It’s a monster of a festival attracting about 350,000 people to the Asheville area of the NC mountains the last weekend in July. Seriously, it’s a great show, if you can find a way to go, get there. Good food, good music, good art, need I say more?

I’ve also been working on a lot of new paintings- here are two:

Treeline 2009 20 x 24 x 1.5

Trot II 2009 22 x 34 x 1.5

Click on either one to see more details about them in my Etsy Store. I’m also going to be listing -TOMORROW- all of the jewelry that I was posting about before Jeremia arrived. That includes: Virtue Adrift, The Evening Star, 250 Regrets, and others. So, be looking out for them- they may go fast!

Lastly, I still haven’t finished the website update, but I’m almost there- busy, busy, busy is my new middle name. Until next time… -M

I'm Back...

...After a long hiatus- so sorry about that...but my BIG NEWS did get in the way. Well, not in the way, but it was a huge change for me, and I didn't want to come back until I knew I was ready. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow- and I have lots of news to share, along with plenty of photos! Talk to you soon.

-M

Virtue Adrift

Finally after much hubbub and delay (all related to my BIG NEWS of course), I can show how VIRTUE/ADRIFT turned out.

I complimented the main pendent part of the piece with a annealed stainless steel chain that has been accented with an antique brass keyhole and and Art Deco gemstone glass button. The clasp for the piece is made from a pair of antique sewing scissors. I will not even begin to take credit for the originality of that idea; the first person I ever saw use it was Keith Lo Bue, and I thought it was a wonderful way to create a practical clasp with an unexpected object. You can see more of Keith’s fabulous work at: http://www.lobue-art.com/.

Hopefully from the close-up you can see some of the weathering I have done; I am a big believer that patinas should match in a piece- it gives a piece a much more professional finished look.

As with all of my jewelry, I wanted this to be a practical piece that could actually be worn, and while I wouldn’t necessarily say that it is an “everyday” piece of wear and tear jewelry, it would be great for those times when you’re looking to make a statement. Subtle it isn’t.

This piece, along with 250 regrets, The Evening Star, and several others will probably go live on Etsy in the next day or two (unless my BIG NEWS slows things- nope, I still can’t tell you what it is yet…). I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as these are up.

-M